65 Resume Headline Examples That Help You Stand Out

Learn how to write a resume headline that helps you show up in ATS searches and makes recruiters want to read more.

Recruiters don’t read resumes; they scan. If they don’t immediately see clear evidence that you’re a match, they move on.

That’s why you need a resume headline. It quickly shows them you’re exactly what they’re looking for.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to write a strong resume headline, what mistakes to avoid, and how to tailor it to the job description.

You’ll also find 65 examples of resume headlines to help you get started.

Key takeaways

• A resume headline is a short, one-line statement at the top of your resume.
• It highlights your most relevant skills, experience, or achievements.
• A strong headline grabs attention, helps you stand out, and improves your visibility in ATS searches.
• To write one:
  – Keep it short and specific
  – Use keywords from the job description
  – Tailor it for each role

Example: Project Manager with 8+ Years Leading Cross-Functional Tech Teams

Not getting interviews? Check to make sure your resume matches the job.

What is a resume headline?

A resume headline is a short, one-line phrase that appears at the top of your resume, usually right below your name and contact information..

Its job is simple: to quickly summarize what makes you a strong candidate for the position.

Think of it like a headline in a news article. It doesn’t tell the whole story, but it gives the reader a reason to keep going.

“The resume headline is your first impression to the reader: Come in strong with a hook that grabs their attention and keeps them reading.”

Kelli Hrivnak, Tech and Digital Marketing Recruiter

A good resume headline should include your job title, relevant experience, and a key skill or accomplishment that shows your value.

Here’s are three resume headline examples:

Skill-Focused: “Data Analyst Skilled in SQL, Python, and Turning Raw Data into Business Insights”

Experience-Focused: “Project Manager with 10+ Years Leading Cross-Functional Teams in Tech and Healthcare”

Achievement-Focused: Sales Executive with 35% Regional Revenue Growth in Under 12 Months”

These statements help recruiters immediately understand who you are and why you’re qualified, before they even get to your bullet points.

NOTE: A resume headline is different than a resume summary. A summary is a full paragraph that gives a fuller overview of your experience. A resume headline is much shorter: just one punchy line that highlights your top qualification.

Why your resume headline helps recruiters find you

Your resume headline plays a key role in helping recruiters find your resume in an applicant tracking system (ATS).

Most companies use ATS to store and organize incoming resumes. When recruiters want to find qualified candidates, they search the ATS database.

According to a survey of recruiters, 76% of them search for skills and 55% by job titles.

Your resume headline is the perfect place to include these high-impact keywords.

They not only help recruiters find your resume, but they quickly show them that you’re a strong match.

How to write a resume headline

A good resume headline is short, specific, and tailored to the job you’re applying for. It should give recruiters a reason to keep reading.

Here’s a simple formula you can follow:

[Job Title] + [Years of Experience or Key Credential] + [Skill, Industry Focus, or Achievement]

Here are three examples:

• Marketing Manager with 7+ Years Driving Growth for E-commerce Brands
• Registered Nurse with Emergency Room Experience and BLS Certification
• Software Engineer with 5 Years of Experience in Scalable Cloud Architecture

Each of these headlines tells the recruiter who the candidate is, how much experience they have, and what makes them a strong match—all in one concise line.

Tips for writing a strong resume headline

1

KEEP IT SHORT

Aim for one line. This is a headline, not a summary.

2

BE SPECIFIC, NOT GENERIC

Avoid vague phrases like “Experienced professional.” Instead, name your role, focus area, or a relevant achievement.

3

USE KEYWORDS FROM THE JOB DESCRIPTION

Recruiters often search by job title and skills. Including those terms improves your visibility in ATS.

4

SKIP THE FLUFF

Words like “hardworking” or “team player” don’t add value. Show your strengths with clear, relevant details.

5

TAILOR IT FOR EACH JOB

One-size-fits-all headlines won’t cut it. Customize your headline so it aligns with what each employer is looking for.

How to tailor your resume headline for each job

Tailoring each resume—and headline—to the job description can be time-consuming. But it doesn’t have to be.

With  Power Edit tool, you can quickly see how well your resume matches the job you’re applying for, and where to improve it.

Here’s how it works:

• Paste in your resume.
• Paste in the job description.
• Click “Scan.”

You’ll then receive a Match Report and resume score. The score shows how closely your resume matches the job description, and the report highlights which keywords you should focus on to improve your chances of getting noticed.

Below an example of the Match Report.

As you can see, the keywords Computer Literacy, Clinical Administration, and External Testing are missing from the resume. Adding them would increase the resume score and the likelihood of getting an interview.

Each template includes a dedicated space at the top of the page where you can enter a custom headline. Here’s an example:

Now that you’ve seen how a headline fits into your resume, let’s look at some example headlines you can use for inspiration.

Resume headline examples by profession

The following examples show how a well-written headline can quickly communicate value, no matter your field.

Healthcare examples

1. Medical Office Manager with 10+ Years in Outpatient Operations
2. Registered Nurse with Emergency Room and Telehealth Expertise
3. Licensed Practical Nurse with 5 Years in Geriatric Care
4. Healthcare Administrator with a Background in Multispecialty Clinics
5. Medical Biller with Insurance Claims and Coding Accuracy Above 98%

Tech examples

1. Software Engineer with 5 Years Building Scalable Web Applications
2. IT Support Specialist with Hardware, Network, and End-User Expertise
3. Front-End Developer with React and UX Design Skills
4. Data Analyst with SQL, Tableau, and Business Intelligence Experience
5. Systems Administrator with Experience Managing Cloud Infrastructure

Marketing and sales examples

1. Digital Marketing Manager with 8+ Years Driving Lead Generation for B2B SaaS
2. Sales Executive with a Proven Track Record of Exceeding Quotas by 25%
3. Content Strategist with SEO Expertise and a Journalism Background
4. Marketing Director with Experience Leading Cross-Channel Campaigns
5. Account Manager Skilled in Client Retention and Upselling

Finance and accounting examples

1. Financial Analyst with 6 Years of Experience in Budgeting and Forecasting
2. Senior Accountant with GAAP Compliance and Audit Preparation Skills
3. Payroll Specialist with ADP Workforce Now and Multi-State Payroll Experience
4. Controller with 10+ Years Managing Financial Reporting and Risk
5. Tax Preparer with Expertise in Small Business and Individual Returns

Administrative and office examples

1. Executive Assistant with 10+ Years Supporting C-Level Leadership
2. Office Manager Skilled in Budget Oversight and Vendor Coordination
3. Administrative Coordinator with Calendar Management and Event Planning Expertise
4. Legal Secretary with Trial Preparation and Document Management Skills
5. Administrative Assistant with 7 Years in Fast-Paced Corporate Environments

Project management examples

1. Project Manager with 8+ Years Leading Cross-Functional Tech Teams
2. Agile Project Manager with Scrum Certification and SaaS Experience
3. Program Manager with a Track Record of On-Time, Under-Budget Delivery
4. IT Project Manager Skilled in Stakeholder Alignment and Risk Mitigation
5. Construction Project Manager with Experience Overseeing $10M+ Builds

Human resources examples

1. HR Manager with 10 Years in Talent Development and Employee Relations
2. HR Generalist with Compliance, Onboarding, and Benefits Administration Expertise
3. Talent Acquisition Specialist with High-Volume Hiring and ATS Proficiency
4. People Operations Leader Focused on Culture, Retention, and Engagement
5. HR Business Partner with Strategic Workforce Planning Experience

Operations examples

• Operations Manager with 10+ Years Improving Efficiency and Reducing Costs
• Supply Chain Coordinator Skilled in Inventory Management and Vendor Negotiation
• Logistics Specialist with Experience Managing Global Shipping and Compliance
• Warehouse Supervisor with a Track Record of Safety and Productivity Improvements
• Business Operations Analyst with Data-Driven Process Optimization Skills

Customer service examples

1. Customer Success Manager with SaaS Experience and 95% Retention Rate
2. Call Center Supervisor with a Focus on Team Coaching and Performance Metrics
3. Client Services Representative with CRM Expertise and Problem-Solving Skills
4. Customer Support Specialist with 8 Years of Multi-Channel Experience
5. Technical Support Representative Skilled in Troubleshooting and Customer Education

Education examples

1. Instructional Designer with 7+ Years Creating Engaging eLearning Content
2. Corporate Trainer with Experience Delivering Leadership and Compliance Programs
3. School Administrator Skilled in Curriculum Oversight and Staff Development
4. Learning & Development Specialist with a Background in Adult Education
5. Academic Advisor with Student Success and Program Coordination Expertise

Legal examples

1. Paralegal with Litigation Support and Document Management Expertise
2. Legal Assistant with 7 Years of Trial Prep and Calendar Coordination Experience
3. Compliance Analyst with Experience in Regulatory Audits and Risk Assessments
4. Corporate Legal Coordinator Skilled in Contract Review and Policy Implementation
5. Legal Operations Specialist with a Background in Law Firm Administration

Writing and communication examples

1. Content Writer with SEO Expertise and a Journalism Background
2. Communications Manager with 10+ Years in Internal and External Messaging
3. Copywriter Skilled in Email Campaigns and Conversion-Driven Content
4. Technical Writer with Experience Creating Documentation for SaaS Products
5. PR Specialist with Media Relations and Brand Storytelling Experience

Find your job here.